| alcove |
a partly enclosed area of a room. |
| detractor |
one who criticizes or disparages an idea, cause, or person to undermine support or popularity. |
| deviate |
to turn away from a direct course or one that has already been set. |
| echelon |
a level of authority or rank, as in an organization. |
| faddish |
relating to or having the nature of a passing fashion or craze. |
| fatalism |
a belief or doctrine that the events of life are predetermined and cannot be altered by human free will. |
| fleck |
a small patch of light or color. |
| inoffensive |
having no insulting or harmful qualities; innocuous. |
| menial |
lowly or degrading; servile. |
| misapprehension |
a failure to understand. |
| mortify |
to subject (someone) to extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. |
| obituary |
a printed announcement of a person's death, usually including a brief biography and information about funeral arrangements. |
| pessimist |
one who usually expects a bad outcome. |
| unexceptionable |
without flaw or fault; beyond objection or criticism. |
| usurp |
to take and hold (a right, position, office, or the like) illegally, wrongfully, or by force. |